Vollezele: Brabant Draft Horse and Congoberg

Vollezele combines the history of the Brabant draft horse with a striking landscape in the Pajottenland. Those looking to combine a trip with culture, historic farms and outdoor activities will find various points of interest here for planning their day. A holiday apartment in Vollezele is a suitable option for anyone who wants to get to know the area as a base for their own explorations.

Cultural heritage surrounding the Brabant draft horse

A special part of the local history can be seen at Stoeterij Haras de Vollezeele. The estate is a protected monument in Vollezele and was built on the foundations of the te Fonteyntjes farm. Construction began in 1891 with the long barn. The stud farm thus points to a time when farms and horse breeding shaped the character of the region.

The Museum van het Belgisch Trekpaard is also part of this cultural focus. It was housed in Vollezele’s former town hall and tells the story of the Brabant draft horse. The statue “Brillant van Vollezele” stands directly in front of the museum. The culture surrounding the Brabant draft horse was recognised as intangible cultural heritage in 2018. For families, this subject offers a tangible way to engage with regional history: not only buildings, but also breeding, work and traditions passed down through generations become visible.

At Stal de Follezelles, the De Beuf–Van Vreckem family explains the daily routine of draft horse breeding to visitors. Anyone interested in agricultural traditions and life on a Belgian farm can consciously include this aspect in their travel plans. Traditionally, the Brabant draft horse is the centrepiece of a day of experiences, nostalgia and crafts on the third Sunday in October. This information relates to the event’s traditional schedule and should always be considered in relation to the relevant date when planning your own visit.

Historic farms and religious architecture

Several farms add to the character of Vollezele. For centuries, the te Reepingen farm was a tenant farm belonging to the Abbey of Vorst. The te Put farm dates from the 18th century and was part of the abbey’s former holdings. At the ter Haegen farm, marked with the year 1800, heavy mares once gave birth to foals that went on to become notable draft horse stallions. These farms show how closely agriculture and draft horse breeding are connected to the history of Vollezele.

Another protected monument is the Sint-Paulus parish church. The neoclassical building was erected by the Abbey of Vorst in 1767 and replaced a medieval church. The Brillantwandeling is connected to Sint-Pauluskerk at Bakkerstraat 1, 1570 Vollezele. This allows religious architectural history and a signposted walk to be taken into account side by side when planning your trip.

Congoberg and Brillantwandeling

Congoberg is a protected landscape and an inselberg in the Pajottenland. The protected Congoberg landscape area also includes Vollezele. The surroundings are characterised by steep slopes, embankments and numerous sunken lanes. Molenbos complements this landscape impression as a preserved remnant of the former woodland on Congoberg.

The Brillantwandeling is ideal for active exploration. It is approximately 7 km long and fully signposted using numbered junctions. The approximate route length helps you structure the day roughly without assuming a specific walking time. Families and other travel groups can therefore decide for themselves whether to focus on the landscape, local history or the cultural sights.

Which accommodation suits your travel plans?

Your choice of accommodation should reflect the mix of experiences you want. If you mainly want to discover historic buildings, farms and the history of the Brabant draft horse, Vollezele’s cultural character will take centre stage. If, on the other hand, you plan to explore the protected landscape of Congoberg and the approximately 7 km-long Brillantwandeling, your day will be shaped more strongly by the walk. This allows you to tailor your search for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Vollezele to your preferred travel theme.

For the broader travel overview: Galmaarden.